Why A Claim For Water Damage May Be Denied
If your home or business has recently experienced water damage, you have your hands full with cleanup and repairs. You may only take solace in the fact that you have purchased insurance for such an event. However, when you learn that your claim has been denied, it can be extremely stressful and upsetting. Below, our Daytona Beach water damage lawyer explains the most common reasons these claims are denied.
Flooding
The majority of homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding. You generally have to purchase a flooding rider or a separate policy that covers flooding events. Insurance companies usually define a flooding event as:
- Stormwater causes flooding due to rising bodies of water, runoff, and rising surface waters,
- Water caused by tidal events, waves, or spraying caused by surface water or stormwater,
- Flooding that occurred due to high winds that pushed the water into the home, and
- Flooding caused by seeping of groundwater that surrounds the foundation of the home.
Water Damaged Caused by a Long Term Condition
When you have a leaky pipe or roof in your home, it can cause extensive damage, particularly if the condition exists for a long period of time. You may incur damage to interior walls, or wood rot may start to develop. Over time, mold and mildew growth can also start to develop because the structure is constantly exposed to water.
If the insurance company believes the damage occurred due to water exposure that continued for more than 14 days, they will likely deny the claim. The reasoning for this is because insurers argue that if the problem had been corrected sooner, you could have mitigated the amount of damage.
Although there are times when providers will have a valid reason to deny water damage claims, that is not always the case. When water damage was caused by an accident, such as a broken appliance, burst pipe, or issue with a fire suppression system, the insurer is usually required to provide coverage.
Denials Based on Sewer Issues
When your sump pump, sewer, or septic tank stops functioning properly, the results can be catastrophic. The flooding caused by these events can cause severe physical damage to the home, and it may even create a health risk. Unfortunately, water damage caused by sewer issues is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. As with damage caused by flooding, you can purchase a rider for the policy if you want to be protected from these events in the future. Considering that water damage from a sewer system can cost thousands of dollars to repair, purchasing these riders is usually a good idea.
Our Water Damage Lawyer in Daytona Beach Can Help After a Denial
If you are experiencing challenges with your claim or if the insurer is trying to pay a lower amount than what is needed, it is important that you speak with a Daytona Beach water damage lawyer. At Bundza & Rodriguez, our experienced attorneys can advise you of your rights, fairly value your claim, and help you fight back against the insurance company. Call us now at 386-252-5170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0624/Sections/0624.155.html